The Oregon Ducks had running back near the top of their needs list for the Class of 2013. With the graduation feature back Kenjon Barner, 2012 recruit Byron Marshall and superstar hybrid RB/WR De'Anthony Thomas were the lone returning scholarship players in the unit. Position coach Gary Campbell was looking to add two or three players to his group.

Aloha high school standout Thomas Tyner was not only the first recruit to commit to the class, he is a true blue-chipper. In the final rankings, Tyner was awarded a fifth star and moved up to No. 2 in the national RB rankings.